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How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Canakinumab belongs to the class of medications called immunomodulatory agents. Specifically, it reduces the activity of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), a chemical produced by the body as part of the body's defenses against infection which causes swelling and pain.

Canakinumab is used to treat Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) and Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (SJIA). Symptoms of both CAPS and SJIA are caused by over-production of IL-1β, which is blocked by canakinumab to relieve swelling and pain.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

Canakinumab is given by subcutaneous (under the skin) injection usually in the front of the thigh or abdomen. The dose depends on the condition being treated and is based on body weight.

The recommended starting dose of canakinumab for treating CAPS is calculated as 2 mg per kilogram of body weight for individuals weighing 15 kg or more and less than 40 kg. For people weighing more than 40 kg, the recommended starting dose is 150 mg. After 7 days, if the symptoms of CAPS have cleared, you should receive the same dose every 8 weeks. If you still have symptoms after 7 days, your doctor may gradually increase the dose to a maximum of 8 mg per kilogram of body weight or 600 mg, re-checking after every 7 days to see how well the medication is working. Once a dose that controls the symptoms has been determined for you, this is the dose that should be received every 8 weeks.

The recommended dose for treating SJIA is based on body weight and calculated as 4 mg per kilogram of body weight given every 4 weeks. The maximum dose for SJIA is 300 mg every 4 weeks. Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Canakinumab is used with the guidance and supervision of a doctor. Your doctor or nurse will assist you in the preparation and injection of your first dose (or first few doses) and can teach you how to give yourself the injection at home. Do not attempt to inject this medication on your own until you completely understand how to inject a dose. If you are unsure of how to prepare or inject a dose, ask a health care professional to clarify for you. If you are having difficulty giving yourself injections, ask a family member or other caregiver for help if they are willing to become involved with your treatment and are willing to learn how to give you your injections.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Before injecting the medication, check the solution to ensure that it is clear, colourless and has no particles in it. If the solution is not clear and colourless, discard the syringe safely and use a new one.

Store this medication in the refrigerator between 2°C and 8°C in its original packaging to protect it from light. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

symptoms of a urinary tract infection (e.g. pain when urinating, urinating more often than usual, low back or flank pain)

worsening of arthritis symptoms in people with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Cancer risks: People taking this medication may have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer. Talk to your doctor about cancer screening and your risk of cancer.

Dizziness: Canakinumab may cause dizziness or a spinning sensation, affecting your ability to drive or operate machinery. Avoid these and other hazardous tasks until you have determined how this medication affects you.

Serious infections: Canakinumab can affect the way your body's natural defences work to fight infection. This makes the body more likely to develop infections due to bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This effect is increased if you are taking canakinumab with other medications that reduce the body's ability to fight infection. For some people, these infections have been fatal. If you have a history of chronic or frequent infections, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Stop taking the medication and tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of a serious infection, such as fever, chills, headache, flu-like symptoms, feeling tired, cough, blood in the sputum, shortness of breath, night sweats, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, frequency or burning while passing urine, redness or swelling of skin or joint, cold sores, tooth pain, or new or worsening pain in any part of the body.

Tuberculosis: For people who have latent tuberculosis (TB) infection (the bacteria causing TB are alive in the body but are not active) the use of canakinumab may cause the tuberculosis bacteria to become active. Some people who have had tuberculosis (a lung infection) in the past have had this infection return when they are using canakinumab. Your doctor will likely want to do a TB skin test before you begin using this medication. If you have a history of tuberculosis, or have come into recent contact with someone who has tuberculosis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

If you experience symptoms of TB such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, fatigue, chills or night sweats contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Vaccinations: People taking this medication should not receive certain vaccines. Talk to your doctor about whether any vaccines you are scheduled to take may be used with this medication.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Women who may become pregnant while using this medication should use effective birth control while using canakinumab and for 3 months after the last dose. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if canakinumab passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children less than 2 years of age or those having a body weight of less than 9 kg.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between canakinumab and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,

change one of the medications to another,

change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

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Read the instructions, warnings and brochures provided by the manufacturer and consult your pharmacist when purchasing medication or natural health products carefully.

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